LIVING AND WORKING IN CYPRUS

1. LIVING AND WORKING IN CYPRUS

2. INTRODUCTION  Where is Cyprus?

3. INTRODUCTION •  Brief historical background

4. INTRODUCTION (cont.) • 1878-1960: British rule • 1960-Independent republic • 1974-Military coup-Turkish Invasion • Population around 805.500 - 80% Greek Cypriots - 11% Turkish Cypriots - 9% foreigners

5. WORKING IN CYPRUS Migration and registration - Who can work? ·EU Nationals need no visa or work permit ·Alien’s Registration Certificate (ARC) ·Registration Certificate EU nationals have the same rights as Cypriots

6. WORKING IN CYPRUS (cont.) - What will you need? ·Apply for an ARC (at the local Immigration Branch of the Police) ·Apply for a Registration Certificate • ØPassport or ID card • Valid for 5 years ·Apply for Social Insurance number (upon securing employment)

7. FINDING A JOB Public Employment Service - Register at District Labour Office ·Passport or ID Card ·Certificates/diplomas/ qualifications

8. Private Employment agencies/job databases - Especially managerial and highly specialized jobs - Free to job seekers-complaints - List of private agencies upon request – no website -Own job database – CV online

9. FINDING A JOB (cont.) Newspapers/websites www.cyprus.gov.cy (link to main newspapers) - EURES Database http://ec.europa.eu/eures - National database www.pescps.dl.mlsi.gov.cy Applying for a job • Letter of application accompanied by a CV • No standard letter or CV • Usually no references

10. PURSUIT OF PROFESSIONS WHICH ARE REGULATED • Different procedure • Labour Dept. as National Focal Point on procedures as well as informing on “competent bodies”

11. STARTING WORK Wages/collective agreements • Agreed with employer, or • based on collective agreements • Minimum wage … €698,82 (…€741,53) • Complaints

12. STARTING WORK (cont.) Taxation Apply for a Taxpayer’s Identification Code – fill in Form IR 163A • Personal income tax – according to level of income per year: • Up to 17.086,01 ……………………… 0% tax rate • €17.087,72-€25.629,02…… 20% tax rate • €25.630,73-€34.172,03 ........ 25% tax rate • over€34.172,03 ……………………..30% tax rate • Deducted monthly

13. SOCIAL SECURITY General earnings related Social Insurance Scheme, covering compulsorily every employed or self employed person (Social Insurance Department) For employed: • 6,3% paid by employee • 6,3 paid by employer • 4% by State For self employed: • 11,6% paid by self employed • 4% by State

14. Social Security (cont.) Transferring your social insurance benefits • Reg. EC 1408/71 governs the retention and transfer of social security entitlements when moving from one member state to another • Reciprocal arrangements on social security with 4 non-EU countries

15. Social Security (cont.) Kinds of benefits • Marriage • Maternity allowance • Sickness, etc Free medical treatment to victims of industrial accidents and occupational diseases and to invalidity pensioners

16. Social Security (cont.) Sickness benefit Payable for max. 156 days. Waiting period of 3 days/6 days Unemployment benefit Payable for max. 156 days. Waiting period of 3 days/30 days Pensions (invalidity, old age, widow’s) Website: www.mlsi.gov.cy/sid

17. HEALTH SYSTEM Government provision of health care is funded out of general taxation Three systems of health services: • Government (public) health sector • Private health sector • Special schemes

18. HEALTH SYSTEM (cont.) Government (public) health sector • Free of charge (through government facilities, according to earnings or disability criteria) • At reduced fees • Paying patients

19. HEALTH SYSTEM (cont.) 2. Private health sector 3. Special schemes Issue of medical card: • Application form from public hospitals • Ministry of Health

20. LIVING IN CYPRUS Relocating from another country  - Pets • Owner identity • Vaccinated • European Pet Passport • EU origin

21. Relocating from another country (cont.) - Car • Temporary importation, not obliged to register if accompanied by proper certificates of registration and valid circulation licences • A European citizen holding a valid driving license of his country can drive on the roads of Cyprus. • Third party insurance cover • Inspection before registration

22. - Accommodation Apartments, houses, villas • Rent depending on area • Advertisements in all newspapers/real estate agents -Education system Compulsory education until 15 • Further information on education system • Also PLOTEUS http://europa.eu.int/ploteus

23. Expenditure (Family Budget): • 21,5% – Housing • 17% - Food/drinks • 14,5% - Transportation • 8,3% - Hotels/restaurants • 7,5% - Clothing • 6% - Recreation/culture • 6% - Furniture/House equipment • 4,7% - Health • 4% - Education • 3,4% - Communication • 7% - Other services/goods

24. - Shops • Winter period • Summer period • Summer afternoon recess (“siesta”) • Tourist areas - Cultural and social life www.visitcyprus.org.cy

25. - Transport • Private car • Public transportation network • Inter-city Service Taxi • Driving on left-hand side CHEKLIST (Before moving to take up employment) USEFUL ADDRESSES/WEBSITES

26. Thanks for your attention!